Authorities find carjacking suspect passed out inside car
A carjacking suspect who was passed out inside the car he was accused of stealing led a SWAT team to surround the vehicle Thursday, Orange County deputies said.
The incident began about 3 a.m., when authorities responded to a 31-year-old man who said he was carjacked at gunpoint near South Orange Blossom Trail and Michigan Street, Sheriff ’s Office spokeswoman Ingrid Tejada-Monforte said.
Etoy Lashawn Love Jr., 25, pulled the victim out of the car, made a U-turn and fled south on OBT, deputies said.
“While the vehicle was southbound, a witness observed the vehicle and contacted 911 with the location of the vehicle,” Tejada-Monforte said.
The car was found about 5 a.m. near a Goodwill store on the 7900 block of Orange Blossom Trail. Love was inside the car and appeared “passed out” in the driver’s seat, Tejada-Monforte said. Deputies also spotted a firearm inside.
Authorities surrounded the vehicle and called out verbal commands for about an hour, but the man did not respond.
Tejada-Monforte said a SWAT team was called to the scene, and as they were about to deploy, Love woke up, surrendered and was taken into custody.
He was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center to be checked out.
Love was arrested on a warrant from Polk County for a charge of petty theft, and he now faces charges of armed carjacking and carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.
He was taken to the Orange County Jail and was being held on a bond of $3,750.
Tejada-Monforte said the incident remains under investigation.